Where Will The Pelicans Pick Fall?

This season couldn't have gone much better for the Sixers in terms of where their first round draft pick from the Pelicans may fall. With only 4 games remaining in the NBA season, the Pelicans, as of today, hold the 10th worst record NBA. They have lost 6 straight games and more L's may be on the way. It was announced today that Anthony Davis and Eric Gordon will sit out the rest of the season. Anthony Davis was pretty much the only thing keeping the Pelicans competitive down the stretch. Now that he's officially gone, almost all hope of the Pelicans winning another game this season is eradicated.

Don't believe me? Let's take a look at what the scheduling gods have lined up for the Pelicans final four games.

1.) @ Oklahoma City

Without Jrue Holiday, Anthony Davis AND Eric Gordon, is there any way that the Pelicans could conceivably stop Durant? I think this one ends scarier than this little Pelicans fan's encounter with Pierre the Pelican.

2.) @ Houston

Same logic applies here as before. I just don't think that Jeff Withey and Greg Steimsma have enough in the tank to slow Dwight… but maybe I'm biased, I don't know. More nightmares for Pelicans fans.

3.) vs. Oklahoma City

Now we're getting to the bowel end of this NBA season. Just one game left after this one and Pelicans are still facing off against the Filet Mignon of the NBA. At least they're home in this one… and it's the second game of a back-to-back for the Thunder so Westbrook will probably sit. It's possible that Durant will sit too if OKC has the 2-seed wrapped up at this point. It seems like it'll come down whether or not the Thunder can knock off the desperate Pacers on Sunday, but let's assume that Clippers keep the pressure on until at least after this game. Pelicans earn their 9th straight loss. These are dark days indeed Pierre. 

4.) vs. Houston

Last game of the season, last chance for Pelicans fans to watch their hometown team before they ride off into the summer of 2014, last chance for the Pelicans to improve their already slim chance of retaining their 2014 draft pick by sneaking into the top 5. Unfortunately for the Pelicans, there will be no stealing a win here against some team resting their starters for the playoffs. The Rockets are in a dead heat with the Trailblazers for the 4th seed in the West and I don't see that changing much down the stretch unless the Trailblazers collapse. Slim chance the Rockets rest their stars, slim chance the Pelicans prevail victorious. Sorry Pierre, you can play, but you won't win.

I'm predicting the Pelicans go oh-for-their-last-four and finish the season with a record of 32-50. The Cavs are 9th in the standings right now at 32-47 and looked poised to pass the Pelicans until they lost some key games and have since been officially been eliminated from the playoffs. Even with nothing to play for, I still think the Cavs have the talent to win at least 2 of their remaining 3 games against the Bucks, Celtics and Nets. That would put the Pelicans at the 9th worst record in the NBA to finish the season and a collective 6.1% chance of sneaking into the top 3 and retaining their draft pick. Although the Pelicans' draft pick is top 5 protected, because of the way the NBA draft lottery odds work, there's no chance they end up with the 4th or 5th pick by finishing with the 9th worst record. 

It appears that the Sixers have a pretty damn high chance of finishing with two top 10 picks in the upcoming loaded NBA draft. Pretty much a dream scenario considering the Pelicans were supposed to compete for a playoff spot this season. The Sixers and their fans should be ecstatic.